pared. I am made to understand, that you have lent him visitation. Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die. Escal. You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremest shore of my modesty; but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, he is indeedjustice'. Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein, if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself. Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner: Fare you well. Duke. Peace be with you! [Exeunt ESCALUS and Provost He, who the sword of heaven will bear, Should be as holy as severe; Pattern in himself to know', Grace to stand, and virtue go; 7 8 resolved] i. e. satisfied. he is indeed-justice.] Summum jus, summa injuria. • Pattern in himself to know,] “Pattern in himself to know," is to feel in his own breast that virtue which he makes others practise. Draw with idle spiders' strings Most pond'rous and substantial things1! [Exit. Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away; Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.-[Exit Boy. 1 How may likeness, made in crimes, Making practice on the times, Draw with idle spiders' strings Most pond'rous and substantial things!] Likeness is here used for specious or seeming virtue. So, before: "O, seeming, seeming!" The sense then of the passage is,-How many persons, assuming the likeness or semblance of virtue, while they are Enter Duke. I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish You had not found me here so musical: Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe. Duke. 'Tis good: though musick oft hath such a charm, To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to meet. Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day. Enter ISABELLA. Duke. I do constantly' believe you :-The time is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little ; may be, I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. Mari. I am always bound to you. Duke. Very well met, and welcome. What is the news from this good deputy? Isab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick, Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; [Exit. in fact guilty of the grossest crimes, impose with this counterfeit sanctity upon the world, in order to draw to themselves by the flimsiest pretensions the most solid advantages; i. e. pleasure, honour, reputation, &c. MALONE. The same critic reads "Mocking practice," and "To draw." 3 constantly] Certainly; without fluctuation of mind. a planched gate,] i. e. a gate made of boards. Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this way? In action all of precept, he did show me Duke. Duke. "Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this:-What, ho! within! come forth! Re-enter MARIANA. I pray you be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good. Isab. I do desire the like. Duke. Do you persuade yourself, that I respect you? Mari. Good friar, I know you do; and have found it. Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear: I shall attend your leisure; but make haste; Mari. Will't please you walk aside? [Exeunt MARIANA and ISABELLA. Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests In action all of precept,] i. e. in direction given not by words, but by mute signs. 5 6 I have possess'd him,] I have inform'd him. each other. contrarious quests —] Different reports, running counter to Upon thy doings! thousand 'scapes of wit' Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA. Isab. She'll take the enterprize upon her, father, you advise it. How If Duke. It is not my consent, But my intreaty too. Isab. Little have you to say, When you depart from him, but, soft and low, Mari. Fear me not. Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all : He is your husband on a pre-contract: To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin; Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go; SCENE II. A Room in the Prison. Enter Provost and Clown. [Exeunt. Prov. Come hither, sirrah: Can you cut off a man's head? Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: Here is in our prison a com 7 'scapes of wit] i. e. sallies, irregularities. 8 Doth flourish the deceit.] i. e. ornament. |